Review:
This book was fun. I love F1 and a revenge story. I loved that while the romance was a big plot, it wasn't all there was to it. There was drama, plot twists, and of course, F1.
I loved the focus on mental health from both parties. The highlight and conversations around men's mental health were refreshing and important.

I loved this book. I read it QUICK, I was sucked in early and couldn't stop thinking about it. I HIGHLY recommend it. A winner for sure, and her debut novel? I can't wait to see what else Madge Maril produces.

OUT MAY 20th!

Thank you, Simon & Schuster, NetGalley, and Madge Maril for the ARC in exchange for my review.

I'll be making another post on Instagram May 6th

F1 romance is THE NEXT THING, YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST! Maril's debut is a steamy, propulsive (hah), heartfelt, and witty ride. The chemistry is relentless, the pacing page-turning, and the growth arcs for these characters truly heartwarming. Cannot wait to see what she does next!

*4.5

I wasn't completely sure about this book at first but I kind of fell in love with it. It was a really endearing. slow burn and I really like Lilah and Arthur. He was obsessed with her and she just had idea, it was cute. The fact that she made a whole movie about them falling in love makes me want to scream, it's adorable.

I received an arc through netgalley.

I absolutely loved this book! It was so much fun! I was captivated by the F1 aspect, and I am truly obsessed with Arthur and his big, soft heart.

There were moments in the book, especially the banter between the characters, that made me genuinely laugh and giggle with a goofy grin on my face. I read it so quickly because it hooked me right away, especially as I began to see the interactions between the two main characters. I appreciated the author’s detailed descriptions of emotions and atmosphere throughout the story. However, at times, I felt that some sections were a bit too explanatory and came across as preachy. While you do have to suspend your disbelief and accept some unrealistic elements, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the feelings it evoked in me! It was CUTE, CHEESY, and a COZY little romance.

Thank you so much to Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for gifting me a copy in exchange for my review.

And it’s lights out and away we go! Madge doesn’t waste any time introducing us to our antagonist and ramping up our emotions. Within the first page, I instantly became weary of Max, and before the first chapter was over I was ready to toss my Kindle across the room with pure dread and anger towards him… I just knew I had to buckle in and get ready for a bumpy ride.

And it just kept getting worse — no, I don’t mean the book (because the fact that I was so emotionally invested right off the bat demonstrates just how engaging this story was). While you can’t say you didn’t see this crash happening Max’s AUDACITY will set the competitive fire within you ablaze and honestly, warm you up for the adrenaline rush packed in this story. You’ll truly be running on all cylinders from the get-go, and it’s exhilarating.

From the “tension” between Arthur and Lilah (IYKYK re: scare quotes) to the race track, Madge does not hold back — she paints a glorious picture of F1’s glitz, glam and grandeur and introduces us to two characters you’ll want to root for. She’s a black cat and he’s the King — the rebellious superstar with a long-list of model exes and a reputation for partying. But there’s so much more to their surface-level appearance, and with each Grand Prix and each new country, you’ll quickly find they’ve won your heart over.

That said, Madge did an amazing job capturing the atmosphere of a GP. I’ve had the privilege of attending Zandvoort (and yes, it makes an appearance in this book!) and I can say that she’s captured the thrill of the event magnificently. It’s magical, exhilarating— you can feel it pulsing through your veins, the excitement and adrenaline. It’s an incredible feeling. I was on the edge of my seat awaiting each turn, riding along the speed of the straights. It felt just like I was trackside and cheering on my favorite drivers.

If you’re looking for a quick summer read, this is it!

I'm a sucker for a good F1 romance and this did not disappoint. This was such a fun read and although I am a fan of F1, I do think it would be easily understood by someone who has never heard seen F1 as well, maybe even more than someone who does. The overall pacing felt a bit off for me but the way Arthur was obsessed with her made me giddy the whole time.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this eARC!

This book had my butterflies fluttering all over the place. I just loved both the main characters and the chemistry between them. All the little nuances—how they looked at each other, touched each other, and talked to each other—were just perfect.

I am not a fan of F1, and I feel the same way Lilah did before entering this world, but on some level, it made me understand it better and even Google little different things about this sport.

Plus points for not bringing in a lot of extra intimate scenes once they experienced their first one.

I can't give it a full 5 stars because in some cases their scheme got confusing to me - not sure if it's a language barrier or my mind wasn't there for it or something else.

But overall, I could not put the book down and was cheering for Lilah and Arthur since the beginning. One of my favorite book couples 💞

Thank you, @atriabooks and @netgalley for providing this ARC in return for honest review 😊

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy of this book!

Overall a fun a cute book! The pacing of the book was a little bit off for me but I like that the MMC was obsessed with her the whole time. I do think I know too much about F1 to enjoy some of the F1 heavy parts of the book.

I had the pleasure of reading Slipstream by Madge Maril pre-release as a reviewer for my podcast, The Paddock Girls, an all-women Formula 1 and motorsport podcast. Huge thanks to Madge, Simon & Schuster, and NetGalley for the opportunity!

This book absolutely blew me away. As an F1 fan, I loved how believable and immersive the world felt. The fictional team in the book definitely gave me Red Bull and McLaren vibes, which made the story even more engaging.

The relationship between Lilah, the documentarian, and Arthur Bianco, the racing driver, was a highlight. Their love story wasn’t just about romance—it was also about their personal growth. Watching them evolve both as individuals and as a couple was so satisfying. And Delaney? Easily my favorite side character!

I really appreciated how Madge portrayed ADHD. It felt genuine and well-researched—far more realistic than the exaggerated depictions you often see. There was maybe one moment where it felt slightly off, but it didn’t take away from the experience.

I couldn’t put this book down. Sure, there were a few small mistakes (pages 66, 125, 175), but that’s expected with a pre-read. The text boxes were a fun touch, but I wish their use was more consistent—sometimes they’d shift from text to explanation, which threw me off a bit. But those are minor things.

Overall, this book is a gem. The spice was definitely there (4/5 for that alone!), but the storytelling, character growth, and world-building were what really stood out. Can’t wait to see the final version hit the shelves!

First off, I want to thank Simon & Schuster for an ARC of this book! It was such a great read, and I really enjoyed the plot of it. It was such a quick and easy read, and the plot never had a ‘dull’ moment. This is a slow burn, but never once did I think it dragged on, I was immersed the whole time! I really love how the story is sectioned in months, and you can see how each character grows and progresses as they follow the Formula 1 Calendar. I enjoyed this book very much, and will recommend it to my romance and formula 1 friends and family!

not the best romance i've read, but certainly not the worst. definitely had fun qualities and i would recommend it to a friend. i would be interested to read the author's next book.

“Forget us here, I’d tell the watch ticking away at my wrist if time had ears and would listen to someone as small as me. Go on, we’re okay being left behind. Time does me one better, though. It keeps going and going, giving me the only other option I’d take. Every next second with him.”

ˋ°•*⁀➷ 4.25 stars

This is the F1 romance the F1 girlies deserved all this time. This truly took me by such a surprise and I loved every second of it. It’s a masterclass in understanding the complexity of what you’re writing about. It’s clear how much research or just all together love that this author has for Formula One and its community and culture. Even beyond that, the romance itself worked so well for me. Arthur is an amazing mmc and Lilah is a just as amazing fmc. These two characters really connect in a way that resonates with you as a reader and you feel for them in every heavy moment. I could physically feel the tension in my chest growing toward the end and their romance is just so gripping and it keeps you waiting in a beautifully paced slow burn.

One thing I truly commend the author on is that it was a slowburn, but it never felt “too slow”. The pacing of their romance felt right and you could feel as each character fell and how they held themselves back. It was never a case of “oh would they just kiss already?” and always a case of just being excited for the tension to snap and have them confess their love for one another. You could read from Lilah’s perspective how her view of Arthur changed, but even without reading Arthur’s perspective, you could see it through Lilah how his feelings were growing and evolving. Every little act of love he did from even the very start of their friendship/relationship made me swoon for this fictional man who I could only continue to wish was real. My nitpicks truly only lie with the fact that i don’t fully understand the reason they had to fake date. Perhaps it wasn’t explained clearly enough or it went over my head but it felt like an odd reason to push them even closer when they were already halfway there.

Other than that, I think that this book just took me by such a surprise after previous racing/Formula One romances that I’ve read. It’s a breath of fresh air in giving a fairly-realistic look at the sport while still incorporating that fun romantic comedy/drama into the world that she spins. I will definitely be on the lookout for any future releases from her and will be thinking about Arthur and Lilah for months to come.

~ My Ratings ~

Characters - 4.75 ☆ - believable, diverse representation, memorable, strong relationships

Plot - 4.25 ☆ - addictive, gripping/exciting, steady pacing, well-structured

Setting - 4.25 ☆ - atmospheric, immersive world-building, realistic

Writing Style - 4.5 ☆ - beautifully-written, easy to read, original, witty

Adorable and fun! A quick, light read.

I did find the characters' motivations to be a little confused at times, but not a huge deal for me. I loved the relationships Lilah built with not just Arthur, but also the whole team and how she really found her place after defining herself as an outsider for so long.

I really enjoyed this novel; the characters felt real, and the well-paced plot kept me engaged from start to finish.

Big F1 girl so I wanted to enjoy this book, but it was not my favorite. I did enjoy the race weekends described & it just made me want to go to one more.

However, the main characters fell flat for me. I can kind of see what she was trying to do with Lilah but at points it felt the plot was that she had ADHD. There was some not so believable dialogue, fake dating trope aside.

At the end there were aspects of the book I enjoyed, mostly the side characters & friendships formed and the obvious F1 throughout. Unfortunately, I think not loving either main character over shone everything else.

Thanks NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

First off, thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was a LOVELY debut novel from Madge Maril! I went into Slipstream expecting an exciting F1 romance, and while it delivered on that front, what really stood out was the depth of its characters—especially in how it explored mental health.

Lilah is ambitious, whip-smart, and passionate about her work as a documentarian, but she also struggles with impulsivity and feeling like she’s too much—like an outsider in her own world. As someone who’s also neurodivergent, seeing a FMC navigate life with an ADHD brain felt incredibly validating. It wasn’t treated as a joke or a quirky personality trait—it was simply part of her, in all its messiness and brilliance. Her struggles were so relatable that at times, I found my heart breaking at her self-doubt and self-criticism, echoing thoughts I’ve had myself.

Arthur, on the other hand, is grappling with the aftermath of a pretty messed up accident, trying to redefine himself as a comeback kid when his entire identity has been wrapped up in his family name’s racing legacy. His struggles with trauma gave the story real emotional weight, and I really appreciated seeing a male lead be vulnerable in a way that felt raw rather than performative.

The romance had a slow-burn quality that worked well, but I didn’t always feel the chemistry as much as I wanted to. Some parts moved so fast they felt a little overwhelming, making it hard to fully sink into the emotional build-up before the big moments hit. That said, when Lilah let his her guard down, those scenes did land!

Overall, this was a solid, well-written romance with layered, deeply human charactersand I really appreciated its take on neurodivergence, trauma, and healing!

🏎️ F1 romance with emotional depth
🧠 Authentic neurodivergent representation
🥹 A hero who loves quietly but completely
💕 Fake dating

i think this is the perfect intro to f1! the author answered all my initial questions i had when i first started watching f1 in a clear and concise way and didn’t give too many unnecessary details! she perfectly captures the misogynistic and elitist f1 system and i loved seeing them get their karma!!! i also did have fun trying to figure out who each driver was inspired by!

onto the characters, love love love arthur! from the jump he was so reserved but it was so easy to tell he really cared about lilah! i was kind of like girl open your eyes!!! while some of his actions made me kind of upset i totally get where he’s coming from, he wants redemption and to prove after an old accident that he can come back and be the best!

i loved lilah! she feels like an outcast and is torn between professionalism and her heart and it was a ride watching her figure out what decision to make. must say her ex is scum of the earth and i want to rip his toenails off one by one!! loved getting insight into the documentary process that was so intriguing! her story with her birth mom was so sad, that she felt left behind bc she wasn’t good enough. her journey to self acceptance was done so well!

overall so enjoyable i always love a little forbidden romance and a man down bad! i normally have issues with f1 books i’ve read bc they lean into the misogyny while trying to explore it which makes me despise the mmc but this one didn’t do that!!! i loved arthur the entire time! even if you’re not an f1 fan i think you’ll love this book!

I really enjoyed this slow burn romance. I didn't know what to think about the Formula 1 setting, but I think the author did a really good job of making it interesting and exciting. I liked that the main characters had some unique characteristics and therefore weren't boring which made me more intrigued by the story.

Halfway through this book, I knew that I needed more from this author. More books because when this was gonna be over, I was immediately going to need more stories. I absolutely love the rating. I love the character development. I loved how the story was told.
Lilah’s sexuality isn’t really declared in the book. It mentions that she’s been with women before so we could say she’s bisexual. It’s also mentioned by her in her thoughts that her ex-boyfriend joked that she was demisexual, because she had to have a deep emotional connection with someone in order to look twice at them. And I would say that you really kind of do see that she does form that deep emotional connection with our MMC.
Lilah films documentaries… she’s documentarian that’s what she loves. She’s also ADHD and she loves to keep the world away from her through some form of wall and she uses her camera as that wall a lot of the time. And I will say I connected with her character on that type of level and I thought the ADHD representation was written very well and I did not expect to find that in this book.
F1 romances are very much new to me and now I’m absolutely addicted. I read one about a year ago, but didn’t really continue on in that series even though I wanted to I’ve recently started getting into them in the past month and this is now lit a fire under me and I really wish this author had more because if they did, I would eat them all up. I’m so excited to see what else Madge Maril writes in the future and I will be getting it without reading the synopsis because I loved Slipstream that much. I will be purchasing a physical copy of this when it releases!

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read Slipstream! It was so fun to dip my toe into the world of F1, made me even want to start watching! Arthur was so charming and wonderful, how could you not love him and I couldn't help but relate to Lilah. I loved their story, however for me it felt a little fast. All in all couldn't stop reading and enjoyed this first jump into F1 racing!